English Schools' Football Association

This year’s game is played at Stadium:mk. Cleveland CSFA and Sussex CSFA walk out onto the pitch to contest the ESFA U18 Inter County Trophy and be crowned National Champions.

Cleveland get the game going straight away with a headed effort on goal after just 3 minutes. Adam Johnston gets the ball over and heads the ball at goal but it hits the post.

The game opens up with chances from both sides for the next 10 minutes.

Sussex then step up and get a shot away after 17 minutes, Ollie Pearce takes a shot from the left side but puts the ball just wide of the post.

Sussex keep the pressure on and 2 minutes later they get the ball into the box again but hits a Cleveland defender to put it out for a corner which is well defended.

Cleveland get a chance on 24 minutes and Tom Atkinson takes the ball forward and into the box, only the keeper to beat, but the keeper rushes out and saves the shot which came in low.

Sussex press forward and are awarded a free kick 35 yards out but this leads to nothing and the play continues around in midfield.

3 minutes later Sussex are given another free kick, Ryan Fergany takes the kick and puts it to the keepers left. The keeper was alert and pushed the ball around the post.

38 minutes gone and Cleveland try for goal but the ball is put over the bar.

After the goal kick, Sussex thing they are through on goal but the linesman’s flag is raised to stop the attack in its tracks.

Cleveland have their best chance so far as Tom Atkinson gets the ball in the 6 yard box but Joe Kay makes a last ditch save to keep the score level at half time.

Cleveland start the half straight away with a free kick taken by Max Craggs just outside the penalty area but is deflected out for a Cleveland corner which was cleared by Ryan Fergany.

Sussex come close after the ball is put into the box from the right wing with a header by Jack Barnes but it headed just over the bar keeping the game level after 59 minutes played.

On 54 minutes the game stays at 0-0. Sussex try a shot at goal but comes to nothing as the ball was hit well over the bar.

Sussex carry on the pressure now as Ryan Fergany tries to get the ball into the box but is sent out for a corner. Ryan then takes the corner but is headed out by Cleveland.

Sussex’s Jack Barnes gets a shot on goal to force the Cleveland keeper into making a save, he dives to his left to save and push the ball away from his goal.

On 65 minutes Sussex get a free kick just outside the box and is taken by Ryan Fergany but the keeper saves again, this time with his fist to send the ball behind for a corner.

Cleveland answer back at Sussex with some pressure straight away as Nathan Watson shoots first time on his right but is wide of the keeper’s near post.

Sussex’s Greg Luer gets the ball right up to the goal line and pulls back into the box for a colleague to finish but is cleared away by a Cleveland defender. The ball is then returned to the box but is hit over the bar by Ryan Fergany.

Another great tackle from Ross Harrison for Cleveland to keep Sussex from advancing on their goal.

82 minutes played and Cleveland have the ball in the back of the net but the linesman’s flag is raises to rule out the goal.

Sussex then take the ball towards the Cleveland goal and Greg Luer takes a shot from outside the box on the half volley but hits it wide.

This time its the Cleveland captain making the last ditch tackle to keep Sussex at bay. The ball was taken down the left side by Sussex and Bradley Halliday makes the tackle to keep them out.

Sussex come so close to getting the goal with a header from Ollie Pearce but he heads it just wide of the keeper’s post.

Right on 90 minutes Sussex head the ball over again after Ryan Fergany puts the ball into the box from a corner but Sussex cannot keep the head down.

After 90 minutes we still cannot decide this game so we are heading to extra time and maybe penalties.

Sussex carry on their pressure during the first half of extra time but Cleveland keep the ball out of their box.

Sussex substitute Gani Nurendini gets the ball back to Ryan Fergany but he hits it first time over the goal.

The first half of extra time comes to an end so there are only 10 minutes remaining to get a goal before the dreaded penalty shootout.

In the 103rd minute we have our first goal. Sussex substitute Rilwan Olugbode takes the ball on the left and across the box before hitting a right footed effort hard and past the Cleveland keeper to put Sussex 1 up. Cleveland only have 6 minutes to reply.

Sussex could have added to their lead with a shot from Jordan Stubbings but it is just wide if the post.

Cleveland get a shot on goal in the last minute of the game but is just wide of the post. The Sussex keeper takes the goal kick and soon after the referee ends the game. Sussex 1, Cleveland 0.

Sussex County Schools’ FA are presented with the trophy by Gerry Smith, ESFA Council Member, and are crowned National Champions.

Team Line-ups:

Cleveland County Schools’ FA

Ollie Simpson, Ben Goodchild, Lee Ducker, Neil Fannon, Ross Harrison, Bradley Halliday, Max Cragg, Adam Johnston, Tom Atkinson, Josh McDonald, Curtis Round, Liam Woodhouse, Josh Anderson, Kyran Clark, Charlie Teasdale, Nathan Watson. Team Management: Richard Alderson (Team Manager).

Sussex County Schools’ FA

James Binfield, Curtis Gayler, Jacob Parazo, Will Miles, Joe Kay, James Vaughan, Ryan Fernagy, Jack Barnes, Ollie Pearce, Greg Luer, Jordan Adekunie, Alex Saunders, Rilwan Olugbode, Greg Gander, Gani Nurendini, Jordan Stubbings. Team Management: Luke Hampton (Team Manager), Dave Hall (Assistant Manager).

Match Officials

Iain Southgate (Referee), Nick Cornwell & Darren Withers (Assistant Referees), Matt Sell (Fourth Official)

ESFA U18 Inter County Trophy Results.

To purchase photos and a match DVD, visit RWT Photography.